Westminster Russia Forum (WRF) is a UK-wide voluntary organisation, which aims to promote improved relations with Russia through greater understanding.
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History
The forum originally launched as Conservative Friends of Russia in 2012, a political interest group for those with an interest in Russian politics, business, history and culture, with the aim of strengthening relations between the British and Russian communities. The political interest group was rebranded as the Westminster Russia Forum, a non-partisan group, which promotes an open platform to debate various issues such as international diplomacy, energy security and internal political systems.
The group was officially launched in late 2012 and has since gone on to host numerous events throughout the UK, covering a variety of topics such as LGBT rights in Russia with guest speakers Peter Tatchell and Claire Harvey.
Activities
The group successfully spearheaded the campaign to see British World War II veterans of the Arctic Convoy campaign awarded their Ushakov Medals by the Russian Government in 2013. The campaign included a letter signed by thirty two Members of Parliament which was submitted to the Honours and Decorations (HD) Committee on Remembrance Day, requesting that the veterans be rewarded with a medal in recognition of the part they played in the vital Arctic Convoy missions throughout the Second World War.